Who were the lancers? What part did Mysore lancers play in battles? Let us find out in pictures!

Who is a lancer?

This image depicts a cavalryman armed with a lance, commonly referred to as a lancer. The lance, considered more effective than the traditional spear, was a significant weapon in medieval and early modern warfare. The figure shown here is likely an Indian lancer, serving from one of the princely states that allied with the British Crown.

States such as Jodhpur, Mysore, and Hyderabad contributed their regiments to the imperial army. These lancers, mounted on horseback and carrying their distinctive long lances, went on to fight in several campaigns — not only within the subcontinent but also on distant battlefields during the First World War.

Battle of Haifa

The picture shows the port city of Haifa , in present Israel that was liberated by Jodhpur and Mysore lancers in the year 1918 during the World War I period. The date was September 23rd- a liberation day for Haifa who got freed from Turks. There is not a single figure of a British soldier here- it was the lancers.

The picture is important for three reasons.

• One, that Haifa battle was won by the country’s lancers. The lancers with their horses climbed the slopes of Mount Caramel, silenced the gunmen while the Jodhpur lancers headed to the Haifa port crossing the river Kishon. The lancers then attacked the port freeing it from Turks- a decisive victory.

• Second it was the last great cavalry attack. The lancers had to fight against the Turks and Germans and compete with their modern weapons like gun and canon. Where is lance and where is the gun?
• Third the Mysore lancers also freed the leader of Bahai faith. And the Bahai community recognises this act every year on the Haifa day.

Imagine the Mysore lancers with their horses, going to distant land, climbing slopes, fighting fearlessly with their lances and with the never say die spirit.

After independence, a large part of the Mysore Lancers was merged with 61 Cavalry of Indian Army. Their insignia choosen was the Ganda berunda-the emblem of Mysore Wodeyars. 

Memorial for Mysore lancers in Bangalore

Picture credit

This picture is a memorial in Bangalore for the Mysore lancers. The memorial is engraved with a Roll of Honour mentioning the names of Mysore Lancers martyrs in the First World War. For World War I, the Mysore regiment consisted about 29 officers, 444 non-commissioned men with 526 horses and 40 mules.

Located in JC Road, the Roll of Honour mentions 23 names of Mysore lancers; one such name is that of soldier Raghunatha Rao Birje.His great grandson Udaya Raghunatha Birje, is a key figure behind Mysore Lancers Heritage Foundation in the city that works to preserve the history and memory of the Mysore Lancers.

Haifa Day celebration 2025-Bangalore

This image is that of Mysore lancers Haifa memorial lecture given on September 23rd,2025 . Every year Haifa day is celebrated by Mysore Lancers Heritage Foundation where the courage of the Mysore Lancers in World War I is remembered. This year the guest of honour was Dr Rajeev Nrupathunga ,the founder of Revival Heritage Hub. The event in the morning was a memorial service for martyrs of the Battle of Haifa and evening was a memorial lecture at Chowdiah Memorial Hall Bangalore.

Note for Educators & Parents:

This event or a visit to Haifa memorial , Bangalore acts as a supplementary/enrichment material . Though NCERT has not officially included Haifa/Mysore Lancers, you can use your visit to Haifa memorial in the city or a Haifa memorial event that happens on September 23rd , every year to supplement lessons, especially for Class 10 and 12.

The Haifa war is a supplementary material for class 10 of NCERT under topics like India in WWI or Contributions of Indian soldiers in global theatres. It could enrich the “making of a global world” or “colonial encounters” parts of the textbook.

Themes  “Rebels and the Raj” and “Colonialism & the Countryside” could be expanded with case studies like Mysore Lancers for class 12. Since the syllabus includes themes about India’s role in global histories, colonial movements, and the contributions of Indians, this visit would be relevant for deeper, advanced discussions for Class 12 students.